Pre Lunar Joy

Singapore Spree

Singapore greeted us with clouds and rain ; the umbrella has never been more needful.

Despite the rain, we chose to trudge in it...

Walked along Orchard Road and tried to catch the Lunar New Year mood and started to reflect the decor back home...

At the Pavilion....

At the curve...

At the door step of Sungei Wang Plaza...

The Piramid seems to always have the last say in festive decor...

It caught me wandering which malls took the greater effort...what do you think?

Whatever it may be, the purpose down South was to be with Grace; so we scheduled our movements according to her available time and of course found the time to enjoy meals together.

Grace insisted on a German treat at the Brotzeit in Somerset.

The sisters together again before Esther leaves for Melbourne...looking alike?

I enjoyed every minute together with the girls as I threw school matters out of me...I chose to forget about work and think like a real mother who had eyes only for her girls. I savour in every minute with gladness of heart. I am especially glad that Grace has found some independence in her financial status and she gave us a grand treat at Brotzeit. I am not used yet to the situation but it's a good change.

Look at those sausages ; it made us recall our trip to Europe in 2006 and we compared the difference in taste...except that we have almost forgotten what's it like then.

The pork knuckles was so palatable and a dish to behold but...

...the ham prepared by Grace last Christmas was just as palatable !

At the end of dinner, this was what that was left behind ! So good.

At a beer garden back in Europe the girls also attempted to drink like what Grace was doing ! Do not be alarmed. She is under daddy's eyes and the alcohol content is negligible. So father and daughter challenged one another to the drink and concluded that it had little kick.

But all over the island there were cheers to usher in the Lunar New Year with a great emphasis on good sayings for them to happen in the coming year...yin chun zhieh fu...usher in the Spring with good prosperity.

'Sin Nien Kwai Ler' ... to my students who are away this Lunar New Year with special mention... Dr. Angeline, Sue Lyn, Sue Yenn, Sher Hann and the many unmentioned ones ...and last but not least to Sara . May you all have good memories wherever you are and a good year to all of you.

'Wan Zhi Lu 'Yi... may all that you hope for come to pass.